TALK TONIGHT ON PLANS
FOR TIJUANA MEGA-EXPO

A third Tijuana Innovadora mega-expo is being planned for October 2014, and this time organizers are planning to showcase the Tijuana-San Diego relationship and promote closer ties between Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

“Tijuana Innovadora: The Mexican Diaspora” is the title of today’s presentation by its founder, Jose Galicot, at the Institute of the Americas on the University of California San Diego campus. Galicot is the guest speaker at the 6 p.m. Tequila Talk.

In an interview Monday, Galicot said the aim of next year’s event will be to present the San Diego-Tijuana border as an example of bilateral collaboration. “We have a stupendous relationship as friends,” Galicot said.

Organizers are aiming to capitalize on the growing political power of Latinos in the United States and promote the benefits of cross-border ties. The plan is to recognize the contributions of Mexican immigrants to the United States — from military veterans to politicians to cultural figures, Galicot said. The event also will recognize their contributions to Mexico, he added, citing the large volume of remittances that immigrants send home.

Tijuana Innovadora was first held in 2010 as the city was struggling to shake off the effects drug-related violence and global economic recession. Through high-profile speakers and exhibits, the event sought to boost the city’s image and project the contributions of the maquiladora industry.

The second Tijuana Innovadora event in 2012 looked at a broad range of fields, including fashion, alternative energy, gastronomy and cinematography, with numerous workshops aimed at Tijuana’s young residents.

The next one is targeted for Oct. 16-26, 2014.

Galicot’s talk is free, with sign-in at 6 p.m. The talk is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Because seating is limited, registration is requested through the institute’s website at
iamericas.org.